Control mechanism



Feb. 16, 1943. .Lo. HUNT 2,311,394 r CONTROL MECHANISM 1 original'Filed Aug. 3, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 I II III ATTORNEYS Feb. 16, 1943. J. o. HUNT CONTROL MECHANISM Original Filed Aug. 3, 1940 6 Sheeis-S heet 2 I ATTORNE Feb. 16,1943. C; HU -T 2,311,394

CONTROL MECHANISM Original Filed Aug. 3, i940 s Sheqts-Sheet 4 INVENTQR ATTORNEYS Feb. 16, 1943. J, o. HUNT CONTROL MECHANISM Original Filed Au 3, 1940 e Sheets-Sheet 5 Feb. 16, 1943. .|.-0. HUNT CONTROL MECHANISM Original Filed Aug. 3, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 I INVENTOR 19w I 5 ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 16, 1943 lJNl'iE STATES 2,311,394 CONTROL MECHANISM ATENT OFFICE Original application August 3, 1940, Serial No.

350,679. Divided and this application November 29, 1941, Serial No. 421,006

18 Claims. (Cl. 74-1) This invention relates to mechanism for controlling the operation of a machine capable of functioning in more than one .way, the mechanism causing the changeover in the mode of operation and determining the duration of the period of operation in each way. The novel control mechanism may be used for varying purposes but may be employed to special advantage in controlling the operation of a loom capable of weaving a fabric consisting of alternating lengths of tubular and plain goods. When used in conjunction with such a loom, the control mechanism determines the lengths of the respective sections of tubular and plain goods produced and may be adjusted so that a wide variation in the lengths duced. Each modifier makes one revolution for of the fabric, an alteration is made in one of the modifiers, so that it acts thereafter during its rotation to retard the rotation of the driver element by an amount corresponding to the extent of the alteration. With the movement of the driver thus retarded, the time required for the of these sections is made possible. In order that the construction and operation of the new mechanism may be understood, it will be illustrated and described in a form suitable for use with a loom of the type mentioned, although it is to be understood that its utility is not limited to use with such a loom.

The new control device includes a driver element rotated stepwise in synchronism with the operation of the machine to be controlled and a rotary master element which is advanced under the control of the driver element at a fraction of the speed thereof. During one revolution of the master element, a complete'cycle of operations of the machine takes place and, when the control mechanism is used with a loom for making unit lengths of fabric, each containing a plain and a tubular section, the shedding motion of the loom is shifted from one type of operation to the other and back again during one revolution of the master element. The lengths of the sections in a unit length of fabric then depend on the lengths of time required by the master to complete the arcs which it traverses mtween changes in the operation of the shedding motion.

When it is desired to shorten the length of one of the sections of the fabric being made on the loom, an alteration is made in the master element which causes it to traverse one of its two arcs in a shorter time. This alteration involves the addition of parts, each of which adds an increment of speed, and any desired shortening effect within the capacity of the device may, therefore, be obtained by the addition of more or less parts. Occasionally it is desirable to increase the length of a section of the fabric over that produced by the normal operation of the master and driver elements and, for this purpose, the control device includes a pair of rotary modifier elements, one for each kind of fabric being promaster to traverse that are of its travel during which the particular fabric section is produced, is increased and, since the loom speed remains constant, a greater length of fabric is thus woven in that section.

Thepattern device may exercise its control over the apparatus through various means, but for purposes of explanation, a form of the device will be illustrated and described in which the device operates switches by which current is supplied to means which operate electromagnetically to .vary the operation of the shedding motion of the loom.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a top plan View of the new pattern device;

Fig. 2 is a view of the pattern device in side elevation;

Fig. 3 is a view illustrating the drive for the pattern device;

Fig. 4 is a front'elevation of the pattern device;

' Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of one of the modifiers;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the line 1-1 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 4, illustrating the parts in difierent relative positions;

Fig. 9 is an elevational view of the master element;

Fig. 10 is a sectional View through a portion of a loom on which the new control device is being used;

Fig. 11 is a .plan view on an enlarged scale of the treadles and actuating cams of the loom Figs. 12 and'13 are views in side elevation and plan, respectively, of one of the treadles of the loom;

' Figs. 14 and 15 are views in side elevation and plan, respectively, of one of the treadle actuating levers of the loom;

Figs. 16 and 1'7 are views in elevation and plan, respectively, of a connecting element which may be carried by one of the loom treadles; and

Figs. 18 to 23 are views in front elevation of the actuating cams of the loom, these cams being illustrated in the relative positions that they occupy as shown in Fig. 11. V

The control device of the invention is illustrated in the drawings in a form suitable for controlling the operation of a loom in which there are four heddle frames each connected to a treadle which is actuated by its individual cam. In addition to the treadles, the loom includes a pair of cam actuated levers which are connected to certain of the treadles when the loom is producing one type of fabric. When so connected to a lever, the treadle is actuated by both its own cam and the lever cam and when the levers and treadles are disconnected, the treadles are actuated by their own cams only.

The control mechanism determines the manner in which the treadles will be actuated and the device is mounted on one of the loom girts 25 which connects the side frame members 26 of the loom. The device includes rotary elements 21, 28, 29, and 30, which have the form of ratchet wheels and are mounted for free rotation on a stud 3| extending outwardly from the face of the girt. The wheel 21, which for convenience will be referred to as a driver, has a disc 32 attached to its face opposed to the girt, the disc having a single depression in its surface. Between adjacent wheels are discs 33 of friction material and the wheels are forced together toward the girt to clamp the friction discs between them by a collar 34 on stud 3|, which is pressed against disc 30 by a spring 35 encircling the stud and seated against its outer end against a nut 35. The stud is formed with a lengthwise channel (Fig. 7 in which portions of the friction discs are seated, so that the discs are held against movement with the ratchet wheels and thus prevent overrunning A bell crank 4| is mounted for rocking rnovement on a portion of the stud 3| at the rear side of the girt and one arm of the bell crank is, pivotally connected by a pin 42 to a pull rod 43attached to one end of a lever 44 pivoted on a suitable part of the loom frame. The lever 44 carries a roller 45 held against the surface of a cam 46 on the cam shaft 41 of the loom by means of a spring (not shown) attached at one end to a lever and at the other end to a suitable part ofthe loom frame. Cam 46 has such a shape that the lever 44 is depressed in two steps and returned gaging the teeth on the wheel 29, which may be referred to as the master wheel. A block 53 is mounted on the girt beneath the rod and close to the surface of disc 32 and the upper surface of the block has the same curvature as the disc 32 and its length is one half the arc of travel of hell crank 4|. The pawl 52 has an extension 54 overlying the edge of the disc 32 and the top of the block and, as the pawl is moved back and block and the edge of the disc.

to normal position in a single step for each revolution thereof, and the bell crank 4| is correspondingly rocked two short'steps in its advance direction and one long step in its return.

The upper arm of the bell crank 4| has two branches and one branch carries a pin 43 which is a second rod 5| extending over the groupof ratchet wheels and provided with apawl 52' en-.

forth, the extension bears against the top of the The block keeps the pawl from engagement with the teeth of the master wheel 29 during the first step of the movement of the pawl and the disc prevents engagement of the teeth of the master wheel by the pawl during the second step of the movement of the pawl, until the depression in the edge of the disc comes beneath the extension. When the disc is in that position, the extension on its next forward movement is kept raised by the edge of the block for the first step and thereafter drops into the depression, and engages a tooth on the master wheel, so that in its second step, the pawl advances the master wheel by one tooth.

The driver and master may have any desired number of teeth, depending on the nature of the fabric to be produced. For one specific fabric, namely, material containing 80 picks to the inch to be used for the manufacture of diapers and made in unit lengths about a yard long, it is desirable to provide the driver with 20 teeth and the master with teeth. A revolution of the master corresponds to the production of a unit length of the fabric, which contains a section of plain weave and another section of tubular weave. Accordingly, during the rotation of the master, the shedding motion of the loom is changed over from one weave to the other and back again under the control of the master.

The changing of the shedding motion of the loom from one weave to the other is effected by proper energization of solenoids associated with the treadles, as will be later described. Current is supplied to the solenoids under the control of four mercury switches 55, 55a. Pairs of these switches are mounted on rod 56 for free swinging movement and therods are secured to a plate 51 secured to the under surface of the loom girt 25. Each switch is provided with a sleeve 58 fitting. loosely on its rod 56 and attached to the sleeve is. a gear 59 The rods extend through A openings in a plate 60 which servesto separate the gears of the two switches on each rod and holds the gears in proper position against movement endwise of the rod.

Extending outwardly from the plate'ti'iare rods 6|, 52 which pass through openings in the plate Gil. Each rod carries a pair of freely movable quadrant members 63, 64 and aligned pair of quadrant members on the rods 6|, 62 are connected together by a spring 65. Each of the q ra m mber 31 i sprc d dw t a t p lugGB and the springs tend to swing the quadrant members to which they are connected to a position in which their stop lugs bear against.

portions of the plate, 60. Normally, the switches 55, 55a are open and in the upright position illustrated in Fig. 4. When the quadrant member of any switch is swung in a clockwise direction about the rod 6| or 62 on which it is mounted, the switch .is moved to a horizontal position (see switch 55, Fig. 8). This closes a circuit through the switch and permits the flow ofcurrent to .certain solenoids associated with the loom treadles.

In the construction shown, closing of the switches 55 supplies current'to solenoids which operate to place the shedding motion of the loom in condition to weave plain goods, while closing of switches 55a causes energization of other solenoids which change the shedding motion over from plain weave to the production of tubular fabric. The closing of the switches is effected by the swinging of the quadrant plates 63, 64 by means of blocks 61, 68 mounted on opposite faces of the master wheel 29. These blocks are in position to engage the tails of the quadrant plates as the master wheel rotates and the blocks are angularly offset so that the switches of a pair will be closedconsecutively. The reason for such successive closing of the switches of a pair is that the changing of the shedding motion can be effected only when the treadles are in specific positions and the blocks are offset by the proper amount to insure that the solenoids will be energized only when the treadles are in the proper positions.

The master wheel 21 ordinarily advances one tooth per revolution of the driver and, consequently, if no provision were made for changing this operation, the one tooth movement of the master wheel would cause block 61 to close one switch 55 and would be followed by a period of rest of the master wheel equal to a complete revolution before closing of the second switch 7 55. This would prevent the shedding motion from performing its proper functions and to.

overcome that difficulty, a plate 69 is mounted onthe master wheel on top of one of the teeth, the plate having such a shape that its rear surface constitutes a prolongation of the rear surface of the tooth 69a upon which it is mounted and its upper surface constitutes a prolongation of the next preceding tooth 69b. The tooth 69a is two teeth to the rear of tooth 690, which tooth is engaged by the'pawl to advance the master wheel to cause block 61 thereon to swing quadrant fi -i and close the first switch 55. On the next advance of the pawl, it engages plate 69 in the first step of its movement and the master wheel is advanced so that block 6'! releases the tail of quadrant 64 of the switch 55 that has been closed, permitting that switch to be opened automatically. At the same time, block 68 acts on the quadrant of the other switch 55 and closes that switch. In the second step of the advancing movement of the pawl while it remains in engagement with plate 69, the master wheel is advanced sufficiently to cause block 68 to release the quadrant 64 with which it has been in cononly a brief duration of closure and it also has the effect of putting out of action the tooth on the master wheel next preceding that on which it is mounted.

After the switches 55 have thus been closed and the loom has begun to produce the section of plain fabric or stripe, the shedding motion remains in condition to produce that weave until it is advanced to the point where, on its next movement, block 61 will engage the quadrant member 63 of each of the switches 55a and effect closing of that switch. The consecutive opening and closing of the switches 55a is effected in the desired short time interval by the application of a' second plate 69 to the proper tooth on the master 1 Wheel. When switches 55a are thus closed, the solenoids supplied with current through them are energized and the shedding motion is altered, so that the loom produces'tubular fabric. This operation continues until the master wheel has been rotated sufficiently to cause blocks 61, 68 to actuate switches 55 a second time.

The control device illustrated is arranged to cause the loom to produce a fabric having relatively long tubular sections and relatively short stripe sections. Accordingly, switches 55 and 55a are so mounted that their quadrant plates lie relatively close together along the path of travel of the blocks 61, 68. The are through which one of the blocks 67, 68 travels from its point of contact with a quadrant plate 64. to its point of contact with a quadrant plate 63 thus corresponds to the weaving of a stripe and the arc of travel between the point of contact of the block with quadrant plate 63 and the point of contact of the block with quadrant plate 64 corresponds to the weaving of the tubing. In some instances, it may be desirable to produce a fabric in which the sections are of equal length or in which the stripe is longer than the tubing. In those cases, the positions of the switches and quadrant plates are altered to provide arcs of travel of the desired length.

If the master wheel were not equipped with two plates 69, a complete revolution of the driver would be required to advance the master by one tooth and thus, in the given case, with the driver provided with 20 teeth and advanced one tooth per revolution of the loom cam shaft and'the .master provided with 40 teeth, one revolution of cam shaft and in the case assumed, a complete revolution of the master would correspond to the weaving of 3200 picks, that is, to the production of 40 inches of fabric having picks to the inch. However, two plates 69 must be applied to the master to effect closing and opening of the switches of a pair in rapid succession and each plate puts out of action the tooth on the master immediately preceding that on which the plate is mounted, that is, as illustrated, the application of plate 69 to the tooth 68a puts the preceding tooth 5913 out of action. Also, when the master pawl has advanced tooth (59c and then moved back behind the plate 69, the pawl in its next forward movement, at once engages the plate and advances the master, instead of re- -maining ineffective, until the driver has completed a revolution and the depression in plate 32 has moved in front of the nose of the pawl. Accordingly, the presence of a plate 69 speeds up the advance of the master, so that the master advances forward by two teeth on one revolution of the cam shaft, corresponding to 4 picks. With two plates 69 mounted on the master, there are only 36 of the 40 teeth on the master which correspond to the weaving of 80 picks apiece, and while the master is being advanced by en-' gagement of its pawl with those teeth, 2880 picks are being woven. While the master is being advanced by engagement with the pawl with each of the plates 59, the master and driver operate at the same speed and the master performs no accumulating function. Accordingly, a complete revolution of the master, provided with 36 teeth and two plates 69, corresponds to the weaving of a length of fabric containing 2830 picksand thus 36 inches long.

The mounting of a plate 69 on a tooth of the master thus shortens the unit length offabric and if alternate teeth of-the master are provided with such plates, the master. will operate as if it were a 20 tooth wheel and will, therefore, rotate at the same speed as the driver so that the unit length of fabric will contain 80 picks. If-asingle plate 69d, additional to those required for switch actuation, 'is applied to the master, plate SSdwill put the tooth immediately ahead of it out of action, so that in one stroke of the pawl 52 while it is in engagement with the plate, the master will be advanced by two of its teeth. This advance will occur while 4 picks are being woven in instead of the 160 picks which would normally be woven in during such an advance, if plate 690. were omitted. The application of the plate 68d thus reduces the unit length of fabric by 156 picks.

If a second additional plate tee is applied to the master immediately behind plate 69d,lthe rear end of plate 69c will lie adjacentsthe forward end of block 53'when the pawl 52has completed the stroke during which it is in engagement with plate 69d. Accordingly, when the pawl makes its next forward movement, it will not engage the plate 696 during the first step thereof but only during the second step. The engagementiof the pawl with the plate 692 will thus cause an advance of the master wheel by only onetooth and during that advance, 4 picks will be woven in the fabric. Accordingly, theapplication of plate 696 to'the tooth immediately following that on which plate 6961 is mounted, shortens the fabric by only 76 picks. From the foregoing, it will beapparent that by the application of'plates 69 to the master in varying arrangements, varying reductions of the length of the fabric unit may be obtained.

The relative lengths of the picks in. a unit length of. fabric depend basically on the length of the arcs through which the master travels between the points of switch actuation, but the mechanism is so constructed that the relative.

lengths of the sections and also the unit length may be increased, if desired. For this purpose, the modifiers 28 and 30 may be employed;

' Each modifier is similarin all respects to the driver 21, except that one tooth has been omitted and each modifiencarries a pin 19 whichrlies; in such position as to be engaged by blocks Bl, E8 on the master. Normally the modifiers are at rest with the places from which teeth have been omitted lying beneath the ends of; extensions on the pawl 49 by which the master is advanced and the modifiers remain in this position until blocks 61, 68 on the master engage the pins 15].- One modifier is active during the formation of the stripe and the other during the formation of the tubing.

Assuming that the modifiers are at rest with the pin 10 on modifier 28 just beyond the tailof' one of the quadrants 63 (Fig. and the pin on modifier 30 just beyond the tail of one'of the quadrants 64'(Fig. 4), the next step in the-advance of the master, beyond that which willcause block 61 to rock one of the: quadrants 64 and closethe associated-switch 53, will cause the pin Hi-on modifier 35! to be engaged by-block'fi! and the'modifier advanced so that one of its teeth will passbeneath theend of pawl 49. The modifier will'thenbe advanced by one tooth for each action of the pawl until the modifier has-completed a revolution and the place from which the tooth is missing again lies beneath the end of the pawl.

and by the time the-modifier has returned toits initial position, the block 6] on thesmaster will havermovedpast theplace' then occupied by pin Hl'on modifier 30. The. modifier will, accorde ingly, remain at rest-until brought into action again by engagement'of block 6! with its pin 19.

The modifier 28 is similarly brought'into action .during: the weaving of the-tubing by. engagement of. theblock 68"on the master 'withpin 10 on the modifien One of the modifiers thusmakes a complete revolution during .the. time in which the loom. is weaving'the stripe and the other makes a complete revolution while the loom is weaving the. tubing.

In order to lengthen asectionxofthe fabric, for example, the tubing, one or more plates H are applied to the teeth of the modifier 28 which makes arevolutionduring theweaving of .the tubing. The plates serveto increase the'height of the modifier teeth-and wheneverthe pawl 49 restsupon sucha plate, the 'pawl passes over the teeth of the driver in its advancing movement; Aocordingly,.for every plate thusappliedto the modifier, the driver remains at rest-foreheadvancing movement of the pawl, that is, the. driver remains at. rest for. one tooth, corresponding to the. weaving in of 'picks. Withthe driver thus at reSt,.the time required forthe masterto move through its arc'of travel during .which the tubing is being woven" is correspondinglyincreased and; since the loom runs at constantspeed,.the'length of the tube sectionis similarly increased. Asthe addition of 'one plate H to themodifier lengthens the tubing sectionbye picks: and there are 19 teeth on, the modifier; the application; of; a .plate H to each tooth thereof .willincrease the; length of the: tubing, section-::by-'76' picks. Aisimilar lengthening *of the stripe" sectionvcan; Ice-obtained by the application of plates H to the modifier 30.

Byapplying to themaster-only, the two plates required for;consecutive operation of the switches and-applyinga plate: to each tooth of each modifier, the control mechanism'will'causethe loom to produceafabric unit of maximum lengthcontaining 2880+76+76=3032 picks. or.-37.9' inches This minimum length can be rincreasediby- 4 :pick.

steps'to 232 picks'by adding plates toonexof the modifiers and the increase Willi appearin the tubing or the stripe; depending-on the modifier to "which such-a plate isapplied. Increases'beyond .ailength of 232 picks-gate. effected b removing' plates from the. master and variations in small steps between theminimumandmaximum fabric lengthszcan. be .obtainedby the ruse of .suitable. combinations of: plates: onxthe' master and the modifiers.

The use of the plates on the masterwheel thus permits variations in the lengthiof'the fabric unit between 80and 2880 picks and'the use cf the platesonthe modifier wheelspermits the length of'the fabric unit, as determined by the master wheel, to be increased in 4 pick steps upto a totalof 152 picks. Accordingly; application of plates to; allof-the teeth of themodifierwheels will increase the lengthof the fabric to 3031 picks. Variations in the. respective lengths .of'the tubing andhstripesections. maybe -made eitherby alteringthe positions. of'the.

During this period, the loom will weavethe-stripeilix switchesrrelativeto one o r or byaddin plates to the modifiers. Also, by employing driven master and modifier wheels having other numbers of teeth than those shown, the control mechanism can be employed in the production of fabric units of greater length than those described and having sections of varying relationship.

The loom in conjunction with which the new pattern device is shown for purposes of explanation includes a cam shaft 41 which carries a gear I3 by which the cam shaft is driven from the main shaft of the loom. The gear has hubs I4 of the clutch type and one of these hubs is engaged with a collar I5 fast on the cam shaft, so that the gear rotates with the shaft. Mounted in a row on the shaft and clutched to the gear and to one another by their hubs are six cams held with their hubs in engagement by a nut I6 threaded on the shaft.

The cams are used for the actuation of treadles and levers, and cam 11, lying next to the nut and having the configuration shown in Fig. 18, actuates a lever I8 pivotally mounted at one end on a rod I9 suitably supported on a fixed part of the loom. The lever is provided with a lug 80 to which is attached one end of a spring 8|, the other end of which is secured to a fixed part of the loom. The lever carries a roller 82, the axle of which is journalled in the walls of a box 82a on the lever with a portion of the roller exposed above the box and the roller is held in contact with the surface of cam H by spring 8|. Beyond the roller the lever is formed with a vertical channel 83 and the outer end wall 84 of the channel is formed at its lower end with a foot 85 having an outwardly and upwardly sloping under surface 86. The lever is also provided with a spacing block 81 on its upper surface near its hub 88.

Pivotally mounted on the rod I9 next to the lever I8 is a treadle 89 which has notches 90 in its under surface near its outer end for reception of the loop of a strap connected to a heddle frame, not shown. In accordance with conventional practice, the frame is acted on by a spring tending to maintain it in its uppermost position and it is moved down by the treadle. For ihis purpose, the treadle is provided with a roller 9|, the axle of which is journalled in the walls 1 of a box 92 forming part of the treadle and the roller runs in contact with a cam 93 next to cam I? on the cam shaft and having the configuration shown in Fig. 19. The treadle is formed with a. spacing block 94 contacting with block 8! on lever I8. During the production of one type of weave on the loom, treadle 89 is connected to lever I8 and moves therewith, so that the treadle may be considered to be actuated at that time by both cams I1 and 93. To effect this connection, the treadle is provided with a housing 95 on its under surface near its hub and within the housing are mounted solenoids 95 and 9! lying in axial alignment. A core 98 lies within the solenoids and is movable from one end of the housing to the other by the action of the solenoids, the movement being limited by the ends 99 of a U-shaped member attached to the bottom of the housing. The core is attached to a rod I connected to a bar IOI lying between a pair of plates I02 secured to opposite faces of the treadle. Each plate has a longitudinal slot I03 therein and the bar carries a pin I04 on which are mounted rollers I05.

On the treadle illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13, there are two rollers on the pin on each side of the bar IN and the two rollers near the bar run rollers on the pin lie outside the plates. When the bar is in its innermost position, illustrated in Figs. 11, 12, and 13, the roller I05a. lies in line with the channel 83 on lever I8, so that the lever and the treadle 89 are free to move relatively to one another. When the bar I8I is in its outermost position, the roller I05a lies beneath and in contact with the sloping under surface 88 of the foot 85 on lever I8, and lever 78 and treadle 89 are then connected together and both are actuated by cams I1 and 93.

The movement of the bar IOI between the two positions is effected by the energization of the solenoids 98 and 91 and the supply of current to these solenoids is under the control of the pattern device which causes the solenoids to be energized for brief periods only. When the treadle and lever are connected together with the roller I 95a engaging the under surface of foot85, the roller is prevented from slipping from beneath the foot by the slopingformation of the surface 86, as illustrated in Fig. 14.

Mounted next to the treadle 89 on the rod 19 is a treadle I86, which is similar to treadle 89, except that its pin I81, corresponding to pin I04, carries only three rollers I08, the outer roller having been omitted from the end of the pin lying at the right in Fig. 11. Mounted on the face of treadle I06 is a plate I09 having an opening IIO extending inward from its outer end. This plate is so positioned that when the pin I04 of treadle 89 is in its innermost position, the outer roller I05?) of treadle 89 lies within the opening -I I0 and the two treadles are thereafter connected together. The opening H0 is fiared from the outer end surface of the plate and because of that, roller I052) tends to remain within the opening once it has been moved thereinto. The treadle I06 is actuated by cam III on the cam shaft, the configuration of the cam being shown in Fig. 20. When the pin I04 on treadle 89 lies in its innermost position and treadles 89 and I06 are connected together by plate I09 and roller I051), both treadles are actuated by both cams 93 and III.

Mounted next to treadle I06 on rod I9 is a lever II2, similar in all respects to lever I8 and 50L actuated by a cam M3 on the cam shaft, this cam having the configuration illustrated in Fig. 21. When the pin I01 on treadle I06 is in its outermost position, the outer roller on the pin lies beneath a foot on lever II2 similar to foot 55': 85 and lever I8, and thereafter the lever I I2 and treadle I06 are connected together and both are actuated by cams III and H3.

Mounted on the rod I9 next to the lever IIZ is a treadle I I4 provided with a roller which my lies beneath a cam I I5 of the configuration shown in Fig. 22. The treadle H5 is not provided with the solenoids, pins, and rollers with which the treadle 89 is equipped but has a laterally projecting portion I I6 beyond its cam roller.

A treadle I I1, similar to treadle I96, is mounted on the rod I9 next to the treadle H4 and i actuated by a cam II8 of the configuration lhown in Fig. 23. When the bar and pin of treadle II! are in their outermost positions, the 70 outer roller II9 on the pin lies free of the lateral extension I I6 on treadle I I4 and the treadles are actuated by their respective cams. When the bars are in their innermost positions, roller II9 lies beneath extension II6 on treadle ll4'and 75 treadles H4 and Ill are connected together and A of a revolution of cam shaft 12 and as the cam shaft rotates once while 4 picks are being woven into the fabric, cam 71, accordingly, moves the treadle down for three picks and permits it to be up for one pick of a cycle. At the same time, treadle I06 is given a movement determined by cam I I3 acting on lever H2 to which the treadle is connected. Cam H3 has the same configuration as cam 11 but is angularly offset therefrom by 180. Accordingly, treadle I08 has a movement three picks down and one pick up out of phase by 180 with tread-1e '44. Treadles H4 and H1, being disconnected, are actuated only by their respective cams H5 and H8, and

these cams have such a shape as to cause their treadles tobe held down by one pick and up for three picks per cycle, with the treadles out of phase 180. With the treadles and levers actuated as described, the loom weaves tubular fabric.

When the pins on treadles 89, I06, and ill are in their innermost positions, treadles I' I4 and H1 are connected together and none of the treadles is connected to either of the levers. -In that situation, treadles '89 and I06 are both actuated by cams 93 and H I, so that in a cycle of four picks, both treadles are alternately up and down twice. Similarly, treadles H4and H! are both actuated by cams H5 and H8 and are also alternately up and down twice for four picks during one revolution of the cam shaft. The angular positions of earns 93, HI and of cams H5, H8 are such that while treadles 89 and I06 are down, treadles H14 and H! are up,

and vice versa.

As previously described, the control mechanism controls the supply of current to the solenoids on the treadles and thus determines how the loom will operate. adjustments in the control mechanism, the loom will weave fabric in different unit lengths, with each length made up of tubing and stripe sections of different lengths, as desired.

In the foregoing, the control mechanism of the invention has been described as applied to a loom to control the shedding motion thereof, so that the loom will Weave unit lengths of fabric, each made up of sections of two different weaves. It will be apparent, however, that the utility of the control mechanism is not limited to its use for controlling the operation of. a loom and that it may be employed advantageously in controlling the operation of various other kinds of machines which are to operate in different ways. Also, as illustrated, the control-mechanism exercises its control to obtain a cycle of operation of the machine controlled in which that machine functions in two different ways. A; pair of switches are actuated when each changeover in the operation of the machine is to be effected. By using additional sets of switches, the cycle of operations through which the machine passes may include more than two changes, as will be apparent. Also. it will be By making appropriate i clear that the control mechanism, illustrated as exercising its control electrically, may perform its function through mechanical means.

This application is a division of my application Serial No. 350,679, filed August 3, IMO.

I claim:

1. A device for controlling the operation of a machine for the purpose of causing it to perform different operations in a cycle, which comprises a driver element, means normally operating to advance the driver element stepwise in timed relation to the operation of the machine throughout the operation of the latter, a .master element, means operable to rotate the master, element stepwise, said means being rendered ineffective by the driver element throughout the greater part of each rotation of the latter, the master element thereby advancing 'at a slower rate than the driver element, and means actuated by the master element in its advance for altering the operation of the machine to cause it to perform the diiferent operations in the cycle.

2. A device for controlling the operation of a machine for the purpose of causing it to perform different operations in a cycle, which comprises a driver element, means normally operating to advance the driver element stepwise in timed relation to the operation of the machine throughout the operation of the latter, a master element, means operable to rotate thernaster element stepwise, said means being rendered ineffective by the driver element throughout the greater part of each rotation of the latter, the master element thereby advancing at a slower rate than the driver element, and a plurality of means actuated by the master element in its advance for altering the operation of the machine to cause it to perform the different operations in the cycle.

3. A device for controlling the operation of a machine for the purpose of causing it to perform different operations in a cycle, which comprises a driver element, mean normally operating to advance the driver element stepwise in timed relation to the operation of the machine throughout the operation of the latter, a master element, means operable to rotate the master element stepwise, said means being rendered ineffective by the driver element throughout the greater part of each rotation of the latter, the master element thereby advancing at a slower rate than the driver element, and a plurality of means, one for each. operation in the cycle, actuated successively by the master element in its rotation for altering the operation of the machine to cause it to perform the different operations in the cycle, said means being spaced apart distances corresponding to the desired duration of the respective operations in the cycle.

4. A device for controlling the operation of a machine for the purpose of causing it to perform different operations in a cycle, which comprises a rotary driver element, means normally operating to rotate the driver element stepwise in timed relation to the operation of the machine throughout the operation of the latter, a rotary master element, means controlled by the driver element for rotating the master element stepwise at a slower rate than the driver element, and a plurality of means, one for each operation in the cycle, actuated successively by the master element in its rotation for altering the operation of the machine to change it over from one operation to another in the cycle, said machine for the purpose of causing it to perform difierent operations in a cycle, which comprises a driver element, means normally operating to advance the driver element in timed relation to the operation of the machine throughout the operation of the latter, a master element, means controlled by the driver element for advancing the master element stepwise at a slower rate than the driver element, means actuated by the master element in its advance for altering the operation of the machine to change" it over from one operation to another in the cycle, and means applicable to the master element for increasing its rate of movement through a selected portion of its path.

6. A device for controlling the operation of a machine for the purpose of causing it to perform different operations in a cycle, which comprises a driver element, means normally operating to advance the driver element stepwise in timed relation to the operation of the machine.

throughout the operation of the latter, a master element, means controlled by the driver element for advancing the master element stepwise at a slower rate than the driver element,

means actuated by the master element in its ad- Vance for altering the operation of the machine to change it over from one operation to another in the cycle, and a rotary modifier actuated by the means for advancing the driver element and operable to vary the effect of said means on the vancing the master element stepwise at a slower:

rate than the driver element, means actuated by the master element in its advance for altering the operation of the machine to change it over from one operation to another in the cycle,

and a rotary modifier actuated by the means for advancing the driver element and operable to render said means ineffective for a selected period to advance the driver element.

8. A device for controlling the operation of a machine for the purpose of causing it to perform;

difierent operations in a cycle, which comprises a driver element, means normally operating to advance the driver element in timed relation to the operation of the machine throughout the operation of the latter, a master element, means controlled by the driver element for advancing the master element stepwise at a slower rate than the driver element, means actuated by the master element in its advance for altering the operation of the machine to change it over from one operation to another in the cycle, and a rotary modifier actuated by the means for advancing the driver element and brought into action by the master element, said modifier being operable to vary the efiect of said means on the driver element.

9. A device for controlling the operation of a machine for the purpose of causing it to perform different operations in a cycle, which comprises advance the driver element stepwise in timed relation to the operation of the machine throughout the operation of the latter, a master element, means controlled by the driver element for ad vancing the master element stepwise at a slower rate than the driver element, means actuated by the master element in its advance for alterin the operation of the machine to change it over from one operation to another in the cycle, and a modifier actuated by the driver advancing means and controlling the advance of the driver element thereby, the modifier being brought into operative relation to said advancing means by the master element once per revolution of the latter.

10. A device for controlling the operation of a machine for the purpose of causing it'to perform different operations in a cycle, which comprises a driver element, means normally operating to advance the driver element stepwise in timed relation to the operation of the machine throughout the operation of the latter, a master element, means controlled by the driver element for advancing the master element stepwise at a slower rate than the driver element, means actuated by the master element in its advance for altering the operation of the machine to change it over from one operation to another in the cycle, and a plurality of modifiers, one for each operation in the cycle and brought into action by the master element while its respective operation is being performed, each modifier being actuate-d by the means for advancing the driver element and being operable to vary the effect of said advancing means on the driver element.

11. A device for controlling the operation of a machine for the purpose of causing it to perform different operations in a cycle, which comprises a rotary driver element provided with ratchet teeth, means including a pawl normally operating to rotate the driver element stepwise in timed relation to the operation of the machine throughout the operation of the latter, a rotary master element provided with ratchet teeth, means including a pawl for rotating the master element stepwise, said means being controlled by the driver element and rotating the master element at a slower speed than the driver element, and means actuated by the master element in its =ad- Vance for altering the operation of the machine to cause it to perform the different operations in the cycle.

12. A device for controlling the operation of a machine for the purpose of causing it to perform different operations in a cycle, which comprises a rotary driver element provided with ratchet vided with ratchet teeth, means including a pawl for rotating the master element stepwise, said means being controlled by the driver element and rotatin the master element at a slower speed a driver element, means normally operating to than the driver element, means actuated by the master element in its advance for altering the operation of the machine to change it over from one operation to another in the cycle, and a rotary modifier operable to render the means for rotating the driver element temporarily inefiective, said modifier being brought into action by the master element once per revolution of the latter.

13. A device for controlling the operation of a machine for the purpose of causing it to perform different operations in a cycle, which comprises a rotary driver element provided with ratchet teeth, 'means'including a pawl for rotating the driver element stepwise intimed relation to-the operation of the machine, said means being normally efiective throughout the operation of'the machine, a rotary master element provided with ratchet teeth, means includingxa pawl for rotating the master element stepwise, said means being controlled by the driver element and rotating the master element at a slower speed than the driver element, means actuated by the master element in'its advancefor altering'the operation of the machine to change it over from one opera tion to another in the cycle, and a rotarymodifier operable to render the means for rotating the driver element temporarily ineiiective, said modifier being brought into action by the master element-and thereafter being rotated by the means for rotating the driver.

1 4. A device for'controlling the operation of a machine for the purpose of causing it to perform different operations in a cycle, which comprises a rotary driver element provided with ratchet teeth, means including a pawl for rotating the driver element stepwise in timed relation'to the operation of the machine, said means 'being'normally effective throughout the operation of the machine, -a rotary-master element provided with ratchet teeth, means including a pawl for rotating controlled by the driver element :androtating the-master element at a slower speed than the driverelement, means actuated by the-master element in its advance for'altering the operation of the machine to change it over from one operation to another in the cycle, a "pair of rotary modifiers, one for each operation in the cycle and brought 'into action by the masterelement' during the performance of its respective operation;

by the machine, each modifier when active being actuated by the means for rotating the driver and being operable to render said means temporarily ineffective to rotate the driver.

15. A device for controlling the operationof a machine for the purpose 'of causing-it-to per form different operations in a cycle, which comprises a driver element, means for advancing the driver element in timed relation 'tothe operation of the machine, said means being normally-effective throughout the operation of the machine, a master element, means controlled by vthe driver element for advancing the master element stepwise at a slower rate than the driver element, a plurality of means, one for each operation in the cycle, actuated successively b the master element in its advance for changing over the operation of the machine from one operation to another, and a plurality of modifiers, one for each operation in the cycle, broughtinto action during the performance of-their respective operations and operable to render-the means'for advancing the driver temporarily inefiective.

16. A device for controlling the operation of a machine for the purpose of causing it to perform ing the master-element stepwise, said means bedifferent operations in a'cycle, which comprises a-rotary driver element provided with ratchet teeth, means including a pawl for rotating the driver element stepwise in timed relationto the operation of the machine-said means being normally effective throughout the operation of the machine, a rotary master element provided with ratchet teeth, means including a pawl for rotating the master element stepwise, said means being controlled by the driver element and rotating themaster element at a slower speed than the driver element, means actuated by the master element in its advance for altering the operation of the machine to change it over from one operation to another in the cycle, aplurality of modifiers, one for each operation in the cycle, provided with ratchet teeth and brought into action during the performance of their respective operations by the master element, said modifiers-when active being rotated stepwise by the means for rotating the driver element and being operable to render said means temporarily in ffective to rotate the driver element.

17. A device for controlling the operation of a machine for the purpose of causing it to perform different operations in a cycle, which comprises a rotary driver element provided with ratchet teeth, means including a pawl for rotating the driver element stepwise in timed relation to the operation of the machine, a rotary master element provided with ratchet teeth, means including a pawl for rotating the master element stepwise at a lower speed than the'driver element, at least one plate applied to a tooth of the master element and engageable by the pawl of the means for rotating the master element, said plate causing said means to advance the master element at a faster rate than would be the case if the plate were omitted, and means actuated by the master element for altering the operation of the machine.

l8. A device for controlling the operation of a machine for the purpose of causing it to perform difierent operations in a cycle, which comprises a rotary driver element provided with ratchet teeth, means including a pawl for rotating the driver element stepwise in timed relation to the operation of the machine, a rotary master element provided with ratchet teeth, means including a pawl for rotating the master element stepwise at :a lower speed than the driver element, a rotary modifier provided with ratchet teeth and brought into action by the master element once per revolution of the latter, said modifier, when in action, beingadvanced by the means for rotating the driver element, at least one plate applied to a tooth of the modifier and engageable by the pawl of the means for rotating the driver element, said plate rendering said means ineffective to advance the driver element while said pawl is in engagement with said plate, and means actuated by the master element in its rotation for altering the operation of the machine.

JOHN O.'T-IUNT. 

